Sport England - Movement Fund has provided £9,450 of match funding
Coton Bowls Club - Vital Club-House Maintenance
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
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Aim: Our club-house is temporarily closed as asbestos was found in the roof. This needs to be professionally removed so the building is safe.
Who are we?
Coton Bowls Club is a friendly lawn bowls club located in the village of Coton, about two miles north-west of Cambridge. Our playing season is between May and mid-September and during that time we host at least 45 home league matches across 4 leagues, 5 weekend club matches, county semi-finals and finals competitions, club knockout competitions and regular training/practice sessions. We pride ourselves on being a fully inclusive club for all ages, genders and race and we participate in 4 different leagues in order to cater for all playing skill levels. We have had much success in the leagues as well as individual and pairs champions in various competitions over recent years.
Why are we crowdfunding?
Our bowls Club-house is 52 years old and whilst having an electrical safety check done recently asbestos was found in the roof. Following the advice of two specialist asbestos removal companies we have temporarily closed the building for safety reasons. It is very difficult to continue without a club-house as this contains our toilet facilities as well as a social area to have refreshments with our opponents after matches. We are therefore raising funds in order to employ one of the asbestos companies to safely remove the asbestos. We will then need to update the lighting system and replace the ceiling. We have been offered a conditional grant from Sport England for £9,450. However Sport England will only give us this money if we raise the same amount via Crowdfunder.co.uk.
How we’ll spend the money raised
A professional asbestos management company will be employed to remove the asbestos and to make the environment safe. The quote for this is £15,750 +VAT. Once we can access the building safely again we will get firm quotes for the electrical work required. We believe this will cost in the region of £2,500. A team of club members have volunteered to do any re-decoration that is needed once the asbestos removal and electrical work has been carried out. We would also like to renew the tired flooring, the original 1970s sanitary ware and the curtains and we will continue to fund raise until we have enough money to do this.
Community impact
With this project our primary aim is to keep our 105 year old Bowls Club open. It is imperative that we maintain our club-house to modern safety standards. Without a club-house our bowls club would have to close. This would mean that the older folk in the club would no longer be a part of the Coton Bowls ‘family’ and they would not have that regular exercise and contact with others.
It would also mean that the wider community would lose the facility. We are located in one corner of the village recreation ground and for many years we have opened the club-house on village fete days and village car boot sale days in order to provide toilet facilities and refreshments as well as ‘have a go’ bowls sessions for anybody that wants to try the game.
Our club-house is used for a corporate evening for a local accountancy firm each year and we have hosted Women’s Institute activity evenings in the past too. We may also offer the use of our club-house to other community groups as and when requested.
Here’s what residents in Coton say:-
“The village of Coton provides amenities not just for its own residents, but for those of many surrounding villages and towns too. The Recreation Ground is the venue for football, cricket and other matches which allow the young and vigorous from miles around to come and let off steam! But I hope the Bowls Club won't mind me pointing out that, though open to everyone, their membership tends to be primarily from a somewhat older demographic! And it plays just as important a role for its members and its numerous visitors, perhaps more so, than the playing fields next door, while catering to a different and often under-served segment of the community.
Even though my wife and I are not members, we live next door to the green and enjoy watching the action! But we can also say without any bias of our own that the club has always been a very good neighbour, a popular venue, and a key part of village life. We would be very sad to lose it.”
Drs Quentin Stafford-Fraser and Rose Melikan
“Our bowls club is one of the cornerstones of our Community in the village of Coton, and regionally plays an important part in the bowls world. Positioned as it is on the Recreation ground, it also has an integral role in any Village Event set out on the Rec occurring several times a year.” Annelies Kramers
“My first visit to the Bowls Club was during the Coton Summer Fête, enticed by the irresistible lure of tea and cake—how could one possibly say no? What I found was a charming, convivial spot where villagers of all ages gathered, some taking a first turn at bowls, others simply enjoying a sit-down and a jolly good natter. It’s the sort of place that quietly enriches village life. After years of faithful service to young and old alike, it’s only natural that it could do with a little TLC. A true village treasure, well worth looking after!” Anna Gazeley
“A haven of tranquility for the young and the aged, such a vital amenity for a village and the population of surrounding new housing development.” Norma Bethell
“We enjoyed tea and cake in this lovely building on several occasions, despite not being bowls club members. It is a great community resource that offers a pleasant setting and is the only building open on community event days such as the village fete.” Dom Scott
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 22nd July 2025 at 8:00pm